"We're gonna live tonight like it's our last night"- The Fozzy VIP Experience

I first saw Fozzy live back in 2010. Their album 'Chasing The Grail' had come out earlier in the year and it seemed like the band had a new vigour and drive. The band hit the road and reached the North East of England in October when they played the Middlesbrough Empire on October 12th. I was single at the time and couldn't find anyone to take my second ticket. I decided against my better judgement to go alone and it was one of the best decisions I ever made! The band were phenomenal and I swore that I would see Jericho and the gang again.

 The band hit Newcastle on their 'Sin and Bones' tour in August 2013. It was the night before I proposed to my future wife and my gig buddy Phil and I watched the band absolutely destroy the O2 Academy. I knew then that Middlesbrough hadn't been a one off. Fozzy were a live force to be reckoned with. The 'Y2J' chants that had been ever present in the Empire 3 years earlier were replaced by rabid chants for the entire band; chants there were well deserved. This isn't merely Chris Jericho and a backing band. This band are all extremely accomplished and phenomenal musicians and I'm positive that Chris would be the first to agree with me.

Fast forward to present day and Fozzy return to the UK to promote their latest album 'Do You Wanna Start A War', arguably their most cohesive and accessible album to date. When I heard they were coming to Newcastle once more it seemed a no brainer that I'd be going. It's relevant to say at this point that my ever present gig buddy Phil has made the life changing decision to emigrate to Canada early next year and that Fozzy's show will be the last gig we go to together for quite some time. This is a guy that I've seen the likes of Metallica, AC/DC and Kiss with; some truly legendary bands and memories. I'd heard for a long time that Fozzy's VIP experience was both incomparable and affordable. What better way to celebrate 13 years of gig memories with my best friend? I upgraded our tickets as a gift for Phil and we both waited for the big day in anticipation. But I know what you're thinking. You clicked on to this page to see what that VIP experience is like right? Well here we go! ...

We were instructed to be at the Riverside Newcastle venue for 5pm so after a couple of drinks and something to eat we braved the rainy Newcastle weather to get to the venue on time. It turned out that there were nine of us who had upgraded to VIP and there was plenty of excited chatter and conversation. Some were talking about the band and the live music scene, for others the conversation turned to wrestling. Some were local to the area while others had been following the band on tour or had flown out from across the UK to meet the band. Thanks to the videos and social media updates from the band we had a reasonable idea of what to expect but luckily VIP rep Talena was there to run through what to expect once the band were ready to see us. As we waited outside we heard Fozzy tuning up and doing a run through of 'Do You Wanna Start A War'. It was at that point we were invited in to meet the band.

I've been lucky enough to meet many musicians and celebrities. I've met the likes of Sting (the singer not the wrestler), Mick Foley (the wrestler not the singer) and Steel Panther but it was a truly surreal experience to see Chris Jericho waving to us from the stage. For those who don't read this blog normally I should disclose that I am a wrestling fan as well as a heavy metal fan so the experience was doubly exciting. As we all headed to the stage, the band all said hello and went straight into a rendition of Bryan Adams' 'Summer of '69' as sung by drummer and founding member Frank Fontsere. Frank has a really good voice and it was pretty cool to hear something unexpected so soon into our experience. We were informed that it was the first time that the band had ever performed it on the tour before they launched into 'TNT' by AC/DC and 'You Really Got Me' by the Kinks. It was at this point that Jericho let us know that they would be playing a few Fozzy classics and started off with 'Sin and Bones' cut 'Spider In My Mouth'. It was at this point that one of our fellow VIPs asked if the band were taking requests. They obliged and started to play 'To Kill A Stranger'. It was during this song that something pretty awesome happened.

If you read my previous post about VIP experiences Meet and Greets- The good, the bad and the ugly you'll see that I posted a video of Jericho coming off the stage to sing with VIPs. There I was casually singing along to 'Stranger' when I saw Jericho coming towards me! Suddenly Phil and I were singing 'To Kill A Stranger' with Chris Freaking Jericho! I really hope that a video of it surfaces on the Fozzy social media pages as it was truly a once in a lifetime moment. Once 'Stranger' was done, the band took one more request and played 'Bad Tattoo' from the new album.

Fozzy opened the floor for questions. There was a hilarious conversation between one VIP and the band about the lyrics to Krokus song 'Eat the Rich' that Fozzy traditionally cover at the end of their live set as well as some insight as to why the band chose to cover ABBA on their latest album. It was at this point that we had a group photo taken with the band before we all went up individually for a photo with them all. Every member made a point of introducing themselves and shaking hands. It's small things like that that make all the difference. Next it was time for the band to sign some stuff for us. Talena had helpfully provided band photos for us all to get signed but the band were happy to sign other stuff we brought too. As I had my 'Chasing The Grail' album signed, the band were joking with new bassist Randy Drake for being the new guy as he signed albums and photos for the VIPs. Now I've been a huge Jericho fan for a good 15 years now and he was such a nice guy throughout the whole meeting. However guitarist Rich Ward also left a huge impression on me. I had picked 'Chasing The Grail' to get signed by the band for a specific reason. Not only was it the album that really got me into Fozzy, it was also an album that helped me through some rough times. I've spoke before on this blog about my struggles with anxiety and depression and in early to mid 2010 those struggles were arguably at an all time high. 'Chasing The Grail' was an album that helped me through those times. I always said that if I had the chance to meet the band that I would thank them for that and I could tell that both Rich and Chris were genuinely touched by my words. Chris even asked me which songs I liked on the album and we discussed how 'New Day's Dawn' had never actually been performed live by the band. It was a truly 'full circle' moment for me to realise that I'd gone from a depressed twenty something finding solace in a great album, to a happier, more rounded person who could thank the people who gave me that solace for doing so. I also took the opportunity to cheekily ask Jericho for a selfie to which he obliged even though he had to have been in a rush. Once again it's those kind of experiences that you can't set a price on so I have to give a special thanks to Chris Jericho and Rich Ward for humouring this Fozzy fan and really appreciating what I shared.

Unfortunately nothing lasts forever and all the band once again shook our hands and thanked us for coming. Rich once more thanked me for what I'd said and I really could tell it meant a lot to him. It was at this point that I quickly got my Jericho selfie and just like that it was over. We got first dibs at the merch table and it was time to leave so the venue could get set up for doors opening. Some VIPS waited outside to get in first while the rest of us had a drink or two in the bar opposite. I'd genuinely like to say at this point that if any of the Newcastle VIPs we talked to are reading this please feel free to follow me on Twitter @NorrisApproved3 and add me on Facebook as you were all great people and I had some great music/wrestling related conversations throughout the night. Who knows? Maybe we'll see each other at the next Fozzy gig!

In short if you're a Fozzy fan and you are on the fence about going VIP next time they're in town, I wholeheartedly recommend you do it. The whole band are so friendly and accommodating that any nerves will soon dissipate. Plus it seems that they pride themselves on making the whole thing as fan friendly as possible. I think other bands and singers should look at how Fozzy do VIP and take it from there.

As for the gig itself? Well it's just what I expected from a Fozzy show. Plus the support acts were excellent. Canadian band Sumo Cyco opened proceedings and really got those who'd shown up early into the spirit of things. They certainly earned two new fans in Phil and I and I'm now pretty sure that they're why he's emigrating to Canada! Hard rockers Nonpoint picked up the baton in style and fired through their hits including 'Bullet With A Name' and their cover of Phil Collins' 'In The Air Tonight'. Of course Fozzy were the main event and they stormed the stage with 'Do You Wanna Start A War'. The rest of the set was a tour de force of their ever growing and impressive back catalogue. 'To Kill A Stranger'? Check. 'Sandpaper'? Check. 'Enemy'? They were all there. Even their ABBA cover 'SOS' got an airing. By the time Fozzy reached set closer 'Eat The Rich' they had Newcastle in the palm of their hands. I even noticed Jericho mouth that he would remember the lyrics in a cheeky nod to his conversation earlier that day during the Q&A. In summary, Fozzy are a band constantly on the rise. They get better every time I see them and will leave you begging for more. The sooner Fozzy get back to the UK, the better!

Setlist

Do You Wanna Start A War

Tonight

To Kill A Stranger

One Crazed Anarchist

Sin and Bones

She’s My Addiction

God Pounds His Nails

Spider In My Mouth

S.O.S.

Lights Go Out

Enemy

Bad Tattoo

Sandpaper

Eat The Rich

VIP Private Gig Setlist

Summer of '69

TNT

You Really Got Me

Spider In My Mouth

To Kill A Stranger

Bad Tattoo

5 Underrated Corrs tracks that are Norris Approved!

Friday will be an exciting time for Corrs fans. The Irish siblings will release their first album in ten years  when 'White Light' hits the shelves on the busiest shopping day of the year. While Radio 2 have firmly got behind the band's comeback since June this is where the hard work will hopefully start to pay off. Sure their comeback performance was extremely well received on a beautiful Sunday in September (trust me I was there!) but the question is whether that will translate to album sales and a sold out tour?

While we wait in anticipation I got thinking about the band's rich back catalogue. There may be many people who like me are digging out their old CDs or perhaps even some new fans who are just discovering this great quartet. With that in mind, I used my self proclaimed fantastic knowledge of the Corrs and picked out 5 songs that are often overlooked. If you're wanting to delve deeper than the likes of 'Breathless' and 'Runaway' then you've come to the right place...

Somebody for Someone

2000's 'In Blue' arguably saw the Corrs reach their peak with 'Breathless' clocking in as their first (and currently only) UK Number 1. Some of the tracks on this album have the fingerprints of legendary producer Mutt Lange (AC/DC, Def Leppard, Shania Twain) all over them. 'Somebody for Someone' while not produced by Lange is an underrated gem. Like other tracks in their back catalogue, 'Somebody for Someone' is lyrically dark in places but promotes the idea that love shines through in 'the cruelest of worlds.' Truly underrated.

Queen of Hollywood

A fan favourite here. The band's sophomore effort 'Talk On Corners' was not only the best selling album of 1997 but spawned a crazy amount of hit singles. One choice cut that wasn't released however was this one. 'Queen of Hollywood' tells the bittersweet story of a girl's dreams of fame and fortune and how the reality isn't quite the same.  A live staple during the band's first tenure here's hoping it crops up again in January. Below is a live version from their Borrowed Heaven tour in Geneva.

Time Enough For Tears

Speaking of Borrowed Heaven that's where this lovely track pops up. Something of an underrated album in general, Time Enough For Tears is just one of many highlights of Borrowed Heaven. The song was actually used in the film 'In America' and was even nominated for a golden globe for best original song! U2's Bono was one of the writer's of the song once again proving the esteemed company that the Corrs travel in.

Borrowed Heaven

Another one from their fourth album, this time the title track itself. What makes this one stand out is the beautiful chorus from the legendary Ladysmith Black Mombazo; surely another tick on the bucket list for Andrea and the gang! Simply stunning.

Lifting Me

Now this one's a rarity if ever I heard one! Remember in the late 90s early 00s when bands and singers released a song especially for Pepsi? The likes of the Spice Girls and Britney Spears and yes The Corrs had their own advert for Pepsi and the song was available on CD... if you sent off for it of course. That means that this one is pretty rare although it has been said it appears on the odd Greatest Hits album. Check out the advert and full song below!

So will there be any other beautiful songs ready to be discovered on 'White Light'? Of course there will! It's out this Friday and you can be sure it will be reviewed right here at Norris Approved!

Agree? Disagree? Please feel free to tweet me @Norrisapproved3 or like my page on Facebook!

Album Review: Def Leppard- Def Leppard

Sheffield's greatest export release their first album of original material in seven years, but was it worth the wait?

Release Date:30th October 2015 (Classic Rock Fan Pack Edition/iTunes)
Chart Peak: 11

I preface this review by saying the following: Def Leppard are my happy band. If I'm having a particularly good day and I have places to be, Def Leppard's unique brand of pop metal will no doubt be the soundtrack to my good vibes. They have a back catalogue of hits that would make most bands green with envy. Songs like 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', 'Photograph' and 'Rock of Ages' will no doubt highlight the band's UK tour throughout December and are forever etched in rock and roll history. That being said dig a little further and Def Leppard are a band who have constantly flirted with diversity and eclecticism since their 'Hysteria' days. While mid nineties album 'Slang' saw Joe and company try their hand at a grungier sound, 2002's 'X' saw them working with songwriters who'd previously teamed up with the likes of Britney Spears! It's this deceivingly diverse body of work that has contributed to the band simply calling this album 'Def Leppard'. As lead singer Joe Elliot explains "It's just called Def Leppard because that's what it sounds like. It doesn't sound like any one specific era of Def Leppard. It's got everything." 

If you're a fan of the Def Leppard that let you know that 'Love is like a bomb' then don't worry too much. Album opener 'Let's Go' sounds like something straight out of Leppard's 1987 heyday with a riff that is so close to 'Sugar' that if any other band came up with it, Def Leppard may have had good grounds for copyright infringement. The harmonies that we all love are there as strong as ever. In short 'Let's Go' is probably the strongest first single from a Def Leppard album since 'Promises' from 1999's 'Euphoria'. "Welcome to the carnival" indeed!

Just as you're catching your breath, 'Dangerous' bolts out of the gate with the kind of killer riff usually reserved for an album like 'Pyromania'. What's of great comfort to this listener is how great Joe Elliot sounds. While some have argued that his voice has lost a lot of it's power over the years, Joe sounds as good as he has for a long time. If 'Let's Go' is the strong opener we all were hoping for, 'Dangerous' builds on such strong momentum. Meanwhile 'Man Enough' starts to break into that diversity we discussed earlier. With a bassline that Queen's John Deacon would be proud of, Leppard have got a song that clearly takes influence from Queen's 'Hot Space' era. It wouldn't sound entirely out of place on the aforementioned 'Euphoria' album and is just an indication that Def Leppard are more than just heavy riffs and screeching solos.

'We Belong' is a special treat for hardcore Leppard fans as all the members of the group share vocals throughout the verses. It makes total sense. We know they have great voices thanks to the beautiful harmonies that litter their back catalogue. It's a rare chance to hear each voice shine through on it's own and reminds us that it's more than Joe that's responsible for those harmonies.'Invincible' according to an interview with Joe in Classic Rock Magazine was the first song to come out of the sessions for the album. While it doesn't have the pomp and circumstance of a 'Let's Get Rocked' or 'Animal', it is a tight, chugging rock track that would have sat nicely on 2008's 'Songs From The Sparkle Lounge'. Where 'Invincible' improves on tracks from '...Sparkle Lounge' is the production. While their previous album sounded sparse in places, there is no sign of the same problem here.

The only way to describe 'Sea of Love' is as a definitive highlight. From the high pitched Queen-esque harmonies kicking off the track to the instant singalong chorus, 'Sea of Love' is the one song from the album that I've caught myself singing the most since purchasing this album. I also have to wonder if the lyric 'Keep yourself alive/take your mission to survive' is a cheeky reference to their mutual love of Freddie and co. The next track 'Energized' despite the name is somewhat of a drop in tempo in comparison to the likes of 'Dangerous' or 'Sea of Love'. That being said the song has the feel of a slightly upbeat version of 'Breathe A Sigh' from 'Slang'.  By this point in the album we're deep into another side of Def Leppard. 'All Time High' once again has a '...Sparkle Lounge' kind of vibe but once again it's the harmonies that really stand out in this one.

'Battle of My Own', an acoustic offering for most of it's short run time has some interesting production going on too. It's the first song on this album that points towards what Def Leppard could become rather than what they have been in the past. While 'Broke 'n' Brokenhearted' has some pretty cornball lyrics to start with ("you've got no class, you're so crass/Get over here I'll kick your ass") there's still a great singalong chorus to save it. Once again those damned harmonies are there to show us what a force Def Leppard have been for decades now. Similarly 'Forever Young' isn't the strongest track on the album but a riff reminiscent of 'Nine Lives' and some more great harmonies help it hold it's own. 'Last Dance' is the closest this album gets to a track like 'Two Steps Behind' and certainly feels more reflective than most of the album at this point. It's placed perfectly on the album and would certainly feel at home as part of their acoustic section during the upcoming tour.

If Def Leppard's aim as they proclaim is to give us a cross section of their entire career, it certainly becomes more evident by the end of the album. To compare a track like 'Dangerous' to 'Wings of an Angel', showcases many differences between them. Of course that definitive Def Leppard sound is there but those initial tracks that open the album ape that classic 'Hysteria' sound. 'Wings of an Angel' like many other tracks on the second half of 'Def Leppard' is much more faithful to the latter end of the band's career. Album closer 'Blind Faith' couldn't be any different to the aforementioned 'Dangerous'. Some beautiful guitar work from Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen interweaves around Joe's vocal in a way that works sublimely. Although the band intend to continue to tour and record, they have admitted that they recorded 'Blind Faith' in the mindset that it was the last track they'll ever record. Joe even hits notes that he may not have attempted since the heady days of 'Pyromania'. It's a thoughtful end to an album that does exactly what the band promised it would do. If you're looking for 'Hysteria' Part 2 then once tracks 1 and 2 are over you may as well look elsewhere. If however you've been a fan of their output long after Nirvana and grunge made glam metal 'uncool' then 'Def Leppard' is the proof you need of how eclectic the band's output has been since then. Here's to more from Sheffield's finest! From the sounds of things they have a lot more left to give.

7/10

Best track: Sea of Love

Meet & Greets... the good the bad and the ugly

The Meet and Greet. It's the ultimate access to your favourite band or singer. If only for a brief moment you have an audience with someone who has soundtracked your life. I see why it's such a big deal. This post is timely personally for two reasons. First of all as I have mentioned in several posts here at Norris Approved I will be seeing hard rock band Fozzy in under two weeks and have shelled out for the VIP experience. What really drove me to put this piece together is reports of a Demi Lovato fan speaking out about the shoddy VIP experience they received.

Josh Helfgott whose Instagram post has gone viral since his VIP experience says it so much better than I can. Here are his thoughts on Demi Lovato's attitude during the meet and greet:

Dear @ddlovato , Thanks for taking the time to meet me and my friend Carissa in Seattle. Thanks for not looking us in the eye, asking our names, or saying two words to us. Thank your team for forcing the 15 year old girl, who traveled alone to meet you, to squeeze on the side of another group’s picture. And thanks for keeping your jacket on for photos while your team collected the wet jackets of fans who waited in the rain to meet you. Sorry I am being passive aggressive. I’m angry. I’m angry because I assumed you were in a big hurry - that’s the only reason you would pay no attention to all of your fans, even though we all spent a lot of time waiting to meet you. I even flew across the country. You had to be in a hurry, scrunching 200 fans into 15 minutes. There’s no way, I figured. But as I walked out of the room, I saw you slam your head back against the wall in relief - we were your last picture. Meeting your fans was over. You didn’t run out - you stood there. This isn’t my first meet and greet. I’ve waited in the rain and snow many times for rushed moments and quick pictures. Kelly Clarkson’s was rushed, same style as yours - run us through a line for photos - but she asked for our names and even asked to wear my “Work Bitch” (Britney!) hat in the photo. It took 5 seconds, I was happy. Britney Spears did group photos, same as you. She even surprised us with that fact, same as you. But when my group went in to meet her, it wasn’t a photo. It was a meeting. She spent 10 minutes with our group, she heard all our stories, told us her own, and gave us M&Ms. And I’m not even going to bring up Taylor Swift because that’s going to take us into unrealistic territory, People have bad days, but you didn’t seem to be having one. It’s not fair for me to say. You could’ve been tired. I know I was. As I watched you perform about two hours later at the radio station’s concert, I felt angry at myself. You were in a great mood - greeting the crowd, covering Adele’s new song, and thanking radio for playing your songs. I just wanted you to thank your fans. Disappointed, Josh #demilovato #demi #kissfmfallball #taylorswift #britneyspears #meetandgreet

A photo posted by Josh Helfgott (@joshhelfgott) on Nov 19, 2015 at 8:04pm PST

As you can see Josh has really been affected by his experience. Kudos on him for calling Demi out on her behaviour. I don't know how much he spent but judging from the cost of equivalent VIP tickets for other artists I'm assuming we're at least around the $400 mark. I wasn't there so it's not my place to question Demi on any of her actions that day but it certainly seems damning.

What's sad is that that isn't the only instance I've heard of of artists being blase or downright rude to people who have spent hundreds to meet their idols. A good friend of mine has a similar story from when she met one of her all time favourite bands but that is her story to tell. My point being that it seems that some musical acts take money from their biggest die hard fans and can't even feign that they want to be there. A brief Google search will give you multiple examples of Justin 'Douchebag' Bieber being rude to fans who've spent loads of their hard earned money to meet him.

Then of course there's Avril Lavigne...

Of course we all know that getting a photo with a celebrity means 'just in the vicinity' or 'an arm's length away' from them. 

So what's my point? Well I guess I just feel bad for people who spend so much money only to be sorely disappointed. "But Mike!" I hear you cry. "You just told us you bought VIP tickets for Fozzy!" That's right. I have indeed. So do I think it will be different. I certainly hope so and if previous VIPer's experiences are to go by I have a feeling it will be a truly memorable night!

A quick Google of VIP packages will show you that fans can expect to pay anything from £200 right up to thousands of pounds! Fozzy's VIP package has only cost me approximately £65 a ticket! Now bear in mind that their lead singer Chris Jericho is one of the most recognised and popular pro wrestlers on the planet and already we're talking great value. However this isn't a normal meet and greet by the sounds of things. Oh no. When I initially bought the tickets for me and my good friend Phil, I was buying access to the band's soundcheck, first dibs to the merch stand, a photo with the group and autographs. I've since received an email telling me that there is now going to be a Q&A with the band before the show. Oh and that 'soundcheck' I mentioned. Imagine going to see one your favourite bands do their soundcheck and this happening...

Hamburg Private Show
FOZZY VIP's get a private show where they select the songs. Not everyone gets to front the band, but this VIP in Hamburg did! Don't miss your chance to hang out with us! Upgrade to VIP here NOW: http://bit.ly/1ENEVwy
Posted by Fozzy on Wednesday, 18 November 2015

So yes. 'Holy' and 'Shit' are the words I believe you're looking for. Am I boasting a bit? Yeah I guess I am. Am I excited? Absolutely! Fozzy are a great band. They may not be performing at the MTV Awards but they sure as hell know how to look after their fans. Maybe Demi Lovato should check out Fozzy's Facebook page.

Until next time I'm out. Feel free to share this about or comment below or @NorrisApproved3

The 'first direct hit on music'

The events of November 13th 2015 will forever be etched in the minds of the Western world. As thousands of innocent people enjoyed a Friday night out in Paris, many would be mercilessly and viciously killed by ISIS terrorists who will go to the most extreme lengths to destroy our way of life. It was the worst terrorist attack in Europe since the London Bombings ten years ago and the worst attack on France since World War II. As my wife and I watched the events unfold on BBC News I felt physically sick. I genuinely struggled to sleep once the news broke and like so many of my friends and family, those affected have been at the forefront of my mind since Friday night.

As someone who enjoys watching live music on a regular basis, it is that aspect of the Paris attacks that got to me the most. The Bataclan Concert Hall was the site of horrific acts of murder and fear mongering that night as terrorists brought an Eagles of Death Metal gig to a standstill as they remorselessly shot innocent people one by one until the police made their way into the venue. The accounts of fans who were at the show are beginning to appear in the media today and I can't even begin to comprehend what these people went through just forty eight hours ago.

In the days since the horrific attacks, international bands like Foo Fighters, Motorhead and U2 have made the decision to postpone touring in France and other parts of Europe or had the decision made for them by the French authorities. Deftones were due to play the Bataclan over three nights as we speak but as I'm sure we can all understand those shows have also been cancelled. You absolutely can't blame these bands or the French government. France needs time to recover from what has happened and most importantly everyone needs to stay safe.

Bono has been quoted in the press today as saying:

"this is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called War on Terror. And it’s very upsetting. These are our people. ... The cold-blooded effect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing and that's what I can't get out of my head.”

It's a very astute observation and one that shows how close to home this has affected the U2 singer. The band were rehearsing mere miles away from the Bataclan when the attacks began. The events in Paris have had everyone asking all sorts of questions. Personally I'm travelling to London in January to see the Corrs at the O2; arguably the country's most famous arena. For the first time in 13 years of gig-going I'm questioning my safety. Perhaps it was naive of me not to feel this way earlier. It has taken an extreme example of terrorism to showcase how exposed such an environment can be without top security. Then what about other major cities? A colleague I work with informed me that Eagles of Death Metal played in Newcastle as recently as Monday; in a venue I've been to frequently no less. That's an extremely sobering thought. What a difference a few days makes. However while it's easy to fall into the trap of worrying and questioning our safety at live gigs, it's vital at this time more than ever to not let the terrorists win.

As I've mentioned once or twice on this blog I have tickets to see Fozzy in Newcastle in less than three weeks. The band themselves have spoken out and said that if the French authorities allow them to, they will play their French date in Vaureal next Friday. They are determined to show these animals that they won't destroy our way of life and that we will go to concerts and festivals without fear. As daunting and scary as that may sound to some it's exactly the attitude we should all adopt. Why should these extremists stop us doing something that we love? There is no feeling quite like watching a band or singer you love performing your favourite song and an audience singing right back to them. The memories that live music can create are extraordinary.

The first time I heard Brian May's Red Special live.

The chills that I got all three times I heard 'Ecstasy of Gold' play over the speakers and I KNEW that Metallica were about to perform.

Seeing Paul Stanley fly across the arena as he performed 'Love Gun'.

These are memories that will live with me forever. I'm sure that you have memories of your own. That's what's at stake. When Fozzy arrive in Newcastle on December 3rd I'll sing just as loudly as ever and rock out just as hard as I always do. If I let what happened in Paris get to me then ISIS have won. If they had their way we'd live in fear and never go to a concert, a football match or any public event ever again. I for one would rather rock out defiantly.

For Those About To Rock... I Salute You!

The return of the Corrs- why this is one reunion that will stick!

If the past ten years in music has taught us anything it's that reunions are big business! Just about every band and their mothers are reforming in the hopes of recapturing their glory years, yet admittedly they've had varying levels of success. For every Take That success story there's an All Saints disappointment we'd all rather just forget. While some are content with one show to appease their hardcore fanbase (here's looking at you Led Zeppelin), others have decided to stay together full time and make another go of it. 

It's funny as there's so many reasons why artists decide on the big comeback, however since the launch of ITV2's 'The Big Reunion' a few years back the idea of a comeback tour comes with cynical connotations. Barbed comments such as "Oh they all must be broke now!" or "I guess Celebrity Big Brother didn't want them." indicate that we as music fans look on the idea of bands reforming as a way to make a quick buck and therefore not of much interest. Of course Take That reforming back in 2006 wasn't the first time a group reunited. It just seems that since the 90's favourite boy band became Britain's favourite man band that literally dozens of bands have thought they want a piece of that nostalgic action.

Genre is irrelevant. Within this decade alone I have seen reunited bands such as The Darkness and Rage Against The Machine live in concert so it's not as if this is merely a pop phenomenon. So I guess the question is this. In a musical climate where bands and singers from decades past are making another go of it how do you make sure that YOU are back on top of the charts and not in Amazon's Used and New section.

On Chris Evan's Radio 2 Breakfast show back in June, Chris announced the first act for Radio 2's Hyde Park Festival this year. That band was the Corrs; a band that hadn't performed together in public since 2004. The excitement amongst their fans was impalpable. This wasn't just some rumour or wishful thinking. Andrea Corr was on national radio confirming that her siblings would play together once again. Not only that but there was a new album on the way too! I was alone in my house but I'm not ashamed to say I got ridiculously excited.

Now I know what some of you are thinking. Looking back through this blog will tell you that I'm a huge fan of rock music. Genres like hard rock, classic rock and heavy metal litter the pages of Norris Approved. What is it about the Corrs that I love so much? Authenticity. I've been a fan of the Corrs for a long time. In an ironic twist it was actually 11 years ago today as I write this that the Corrs played the Metro Radio Arena on their 'Borrowed Heaven Tour'. It was in fact one of the first gigs by any band that I ever attended and I still remember what a fantastic show it was. Back in the late 90's, early 00's, the Corrs were a refreshing change of pace in music. There were so many boy bands, girl bands and bubblegum pop flooding the charts. The Corrs were a family of musicians who weaved their Irish heritage into effortlessly refreshing pop songs. They wrote their own songs, musically and lyrically and performed them on stage with such passion and precision. Yet as they hit the mainstream they were able to appear on shows like SMTV Live on a Saturday morning along with their manufactured contemporaries. 

What was their secret? Cynics would say their looks took them a long way. I'm pretty confident however that their looks didn't get them to South Africa performing for Nelson Mandela's 46664 charity. I'm also sure that they wouldn't have played such places like the Royal Albert Hall or the Montreux Jazz Festival just because they were blessed with beautiful genes. The likes of Mick Fleetwood, Bono and Ronnie Wood don't perform with just anyone. So it seems that the Corrs were a band to be truly reckoned with for their musical prowess rather than their admittedly stunning appearance. The band say it best in an article published by the MailOnline just yesterday:

Today they roll their eyes when the issue of sexuality in pop is raised. ‘I just don’t want to see any more a** shots or women twerking into cameras,’ says Sharon.‘I love Taylor Swift, I love Adele because they are all about the music. We were never selling sex, we were selling our songs.‘We are women, we are musicians. We knew people would look at us but we wanted to make them listen to the music. 'Right now we have the Suffragette movie out, telling us about how women fought for rights, but in our industry we seem to have gone right back.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/event/article-3295188/The-Corrs-never-selling-sex-knew-people-look-wanted-make-listen-music.html#ixzz3qGn4zTA0
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Let's jump back to last summer. So it's official. The Corrs are reforming. My only fear was simply whether the music buying public would remember them. I did of course and so did my friends (maybe because of me) but music fans can be fickle. Plus I do have a tendency to get excited about things that others don't. I remember being convinced that a Def Leppard show would sell out in 2008 only to be shocked to find I could get standing tickets on the door! Would a generation obsessed with reality TV stars and the Kardashians have room for a hard working, talented family band? So far the answer appears to be so far so good!

Once the Hyde Park show had been announced things went rather quiet on the Corrs front. Frustratingly so. This however was a masterstroke. Jim Corr posted the odd photo of the band in the studio or a cryptic tweet here and there but that was pretty much it. It just make the excitement grow. As September approached the Internet seemed abuzz with talk of the comeback show at Hyde Park. I live in Durham and was travelling down by car. People were travelling from as far as Brazil to see this performance... and I thought I was committed! Here's what I wrote in a previous post about that day:

They're a phenomenal family band, all of whom are multi-instrumentalists and excellent singers. They're closer to the likes of Fleetwood Mac than the bubblegum pop that surrounded them in the late 90s. It's that reason that they were given a rapturous reception by Hyde Park. The feeling was indescribable. It was like seeing old friends for the first time in years. I was just ridiculously happy. The Corrs haven't missed a beat and they ran through the hits in quick succession. By the time they played 'Toss the Feathers' to end the set, their 30 minute set had felt like 10. I loved every minute but wanted more- surely the aim of any live band.

In hindsight the short time slot was again a masterstroke. When their performance was first announced I'd assumed that they were headlining, after all ELO had reformed to headline the same festival last year. Thirty minutes wasn't long but it was just enough to get everyone excited. For those who were there for other performances or watching at home, the band delivered a great setlist. Songs like 'Breathless', 'What Can I Do' and 'Dreams' reminded people of just how great the Corrs are and how phenomenally successful they were. This isn't just some boy band looking to make a quick buck. It's a band with a strong, hit-filled back catalogue picking up where they left off. The Hyde Park show got everyone wanting to know what came next. What comes next is a new album just before Christmas (the first in ten years) and a UK tour in 2016.

I already have my tickets for the tour (although they're sadly missing out Newcastle this time) and I'm certainly very excited for the album. I was rooting so heavily for them to get to No.1 with the album upon it's release on November 28th but with a certain Adele releasing her 3rd album the week before I have a feeling she will stay top of the tree until at least the new year. That doesn't mean however that the Corrs can't have a great selling album and I am pretty confident that that will be the case. After hearing their new single 'Bring On The Night' and seeing them at Hyde Park, it's clear that the band never lost a bit of talent. I for one can't wait to see them again in January at the O2.

If you like me are excited that the Corrs are back, here's a few things you can do:

• Make sure you're following @TheCorrsMusic on Twitter. They're posting plenty of updates on the new album and @JimCorrsays is very active at the moment too!
• Get that album pre-ordered. We all know it's going to be good! You'll just be kicking yourself if you don't. 'White Light' is out on November 27th.
• If you can afford it get yourself a ticket to one of the dates on their 2016 tour. The dates are just below.

• Finally spread this post around. Hopefully my excitement is infectious and we can keep Ireland's favourite family band around for a long time to come!

Live music in 2015

So as anyone who read my previous post will know, 2015 has been a bit of a landmark year for me. Weddings are a life changing moment for anyone and so much of the first half of 2015 was dedicated to planning and preparing for the big day. That being said 2015 has also been a bit of a landmark year for me in terms of live music. I've been watching bands since I was 16 and I struggle to think of a year when I've had such a vintage year of gig going. Why you ask? I suppose I should just start from the beginning...

Who: Queen + Adam Lambert
Where: Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
When: 13th January

What better way to start the year than to watch my favourite band of all time (the classic line up at least) with their latest charismatic frontman? It's a shame that Freddie left us too soon but I for one love the fact that Brian May and Roger Taylor still tour the world performing the songs we love. Anyone who read my previous post late last year will know that despite my love of Queen that I had had reservations due to the hefty price tag. However as predicted it was a truly fantastic night. Brian and Roger were as always on fantastic form and Adam Lambert was a revelation. The band had rang in the New Year on BBC1 so that had already whet me appetite. However by the time the band hit the stage performing mid-80's cut 'One Vision' I was already at fever pitch. Queen's years with Paul Rodgers were fantastic but his bluesy style eliminated the opportunity to perform classics such as 'Killer Queen' and 'Don't Stop Me Now'. Adam Lambert ticked them all off like it was effortless. Roger taking the mic to sing 'It's A Kind of Magic' was of course a personal highlight for me and Freddie's appearances on the big screen were truly chilling in the best way possible. If Brian and Roger decide to call it a day after this tour, they've wrapped it up in style!

Who: Steel Panther
Where: O2 Apollo Manchester
When: 6th March

This particular gig will always hold a special place in my heart as it also kicked off my stag weekend! In fact the gig was my entire reason for picking Manchester as my stag weekend location. My best man and two of my groomsmen joined me a day early to catch Steel Panther (surely the quintessential stag do band) who were promoting their 'All You Can Eat' album.

I should probably point out at this point that Kimbo (the bloke randomly peeking out of the bottom right hand corner had NEVER heard the band before. I don't mean he was a casual fan. He had literally never heard a Steel Panther song before. He'd only come as it was part of the stag weekend. Seriously commendable if you ask me. Oh boy did he not realise what was coming...

In a rare moment for me personally we missed the support acts that night. We were too busy having some drinks and generally being stag like. We made sure not to miss the Panther though. They took the stage... well after shooing off some dwarf lookalikes who'd made the stage before them. The hilarity continued in earnest as they took tracks from all three of their hilarious albums to create a setlist that would challenge most metal bands today. The moment I'll never forget? When the band performed their latest single at the time; the blatantly titled 'Gloryhole'. What was so unforgettable? Well first off (if you're not easily offended... I'm serious!) watch this video below... go ahead I'll wait.

 What do you think? Pretty crazy right? Even if you're not easily offended that might just do it. Imagine that video being played on two MASSIVE screens while the band performs it. Then imagine my good friend Kimbo watching said video on two MASSIVE screens. I will never forget the look on his face. I'm sure he's still judging me to this day. Having said that when I asked him at the end of the show what he thought of the gig his reply was priceless:

"Well it was good... not as good as the Big Reunion though!"

Wow... just wow.

Who: Black Stone Cherry
Where: The Garage, Glasgow
When: 11th June

So this was actually the 6th time I've seen Kentucky's finest (and I'll be making it 7 in February) but they never fail to disappoint. I'd go as far to say that this was actually the greatest gig I've EVER been to.

My wife and I made the trip to Glasgow to see the Cherry warm up for Download. My birthday was the next day and this gig doubled as a birthday celebration/second honeymoon (or as we dubbed it 'Honeygig'). Unfortunately Kayl was rather ill and we nearly didn't make it to the gig! However she managed to make it through the show and what a show it was! The Garage is a tiny venue with a 750 capacity. We managed to get pretty much to the very front of the Garage and had an amazing view of the band. I'm sure I've covered my love of Black Stone Cherry many times. I've watched them grow from support act to bonafide arena headliners and believe that their next album (out early next year) could be the album to blast them into the stratosphere. If that's the case, this gig may be the last chance to see a huge band in such an intimate setting. The guitars were loud, the vocals were on point and I still get chills when I think about that night. They were as always phenomenal, but to be that close to the action is something I'll forever be thankful for. February can't come soon enough.

Who: Radio 2 Live at Hyde Park
Where: Hyde Park, London (obviously)
When: 13th September 2015

The same week we were heading to Glasgow for Black Stone Cherry, I received some amazing news. The Corrs; one of my favourite bands of all time announced that they were reuniting to record a new album... and that they would kick off their return at Hyde Park in September! The very day after BSC I had bought tickets and was counting down the days to the big event. Now of course there were other acts performing; the Corrs weren't even headlining but as my friend Ian and I drove down to London, there was only one performance I was excited about. That isn't to say I didn't have a great day watching some fantastic perfomances.

We arrived just in time for folk singer Kate Rusby who I'd heard very little of before Hyde Park. Her set was only 20 minutes but it was enough to get over how great her music is and piqued my interest in checking her out in the future. Up next was... Leona Lewis so as you can imagine this was a perfect opportunity for a food/toilet break and to find a good position for what for me was the main event.

The last time I saw the Corrs was in 2004, shortly before their hiatus. It was one of the first gigs I ever went to and it set in stone my love for this talented Irish family. Those who share my love of rock and metal may scoff but the Corrs are a lot more than they seem on the surface. They're a phenomenal family band, all of whom are multi-instrumentalists and excellent singers. They're closer to the likes of Fleetwood Mac than the bubblegum pop that surrounded them in the late 90s. It's that reason that they were given a rapturous reception by Hyde Park. The feeling was indescribable. It was like seeing old friends for the first time in years. I was just ridiculously happy. The Corrs haven't missed a beat and they ran through the hits in quick succession. By the time they played 'Toss the Feathers' to end the set, their 30 minute set had felt like 10. I loved every minute but wanted more- surely the aim of any live band. Fortunately shortly after they announced their new album 'White Light' on November 28th and a UK tour in January. You can be assured that I'll keep you updated.

Next up was Canadian rocker Bryan Adams. It wasn't really until the Corrs left the stage that I realised that I would be seeing 'the' Bryan Adams live. He's been doing this for so long that you know you're in safe hands. Having said that it was surprising that he didn't perform his definitive hit 'Everything I Do (I Do It For You)' (he must really hate that song) but he still did all the other hits you'd expect. Plus I can tick Bryan Adams off my gig bucket list.

Before Rod Stewart headlined the show, it was the turn of legendary producer Giorgio Moroder to take to the stage. Where I was standing it didn't go down hugely well. Ian and I enjoyed it and it was really interesting to hear all the classic songs that Moroder had a hand in. However some of the fans around me were simply impatient for Rod and seeing a 70 year old man who looked like Maurice from Beauty and the Beast with a backwards cap on his Macbook wasn't cutting the mustard. Maybe he was the wrong act for the wrong show.

Then it was the actual main event. Rod Stewart hit the stage after a bit of miscommunication and delved deep into his back catalogue. My parents played so much Rod Stewart growing up that there were times that I suddenly went back in time about 20 years. I would love to have heard 'Sailing' or 'Maggie May' but some of the songs Rod chose hadn't been performed in over 40 years. I certainly can't complain when Rod performs stuff from his Faces days! I may just have to catch Rod Stewart on another tour one day.

Overall the festival was fantastic and if money isn't an issue and the line up is good I'd have no hesitation going again next year. Hyde Park is always a special place for live music (curfews permitting. Rod was the latest victim of this at the end of the night.) and I've no doubt the festival was a huge success.

Who: Madness
Where: Durham County Cricket Club, Chester Le Street
When: 26th September 2015

When my wife and I got married back in May, we picked 'It Must Be Love' by Madness as our first dance. I've loved Madness for years and it seemed like the perfect song for both of us. When it was announced that Madness were touring throughout the summer and that the tour would finish in our home city of Durham it seemed like it was meant to be.

This tour was a bit special in that Madness were taking over racecourses, sports arenas and in this case a cricket ground. We splashed out a little extra and bought the 'Gladness' package. That got us a T-shirt upon entry, a lanyard as well as access to an exclusive 'Gladness' beer garden. The beer garden was cordoned off and the bar itself was a black London style taxi cab. We got a free plastic Gladness cup and sampled Madness' lager; the lager that inspired all this beer garden-y goodness. The set up at the cricket ground meant we could enjoy the support acts while sipping some lovely alcoholic beverages.

By the time Madness came on the crowd was merry and ready for a good time. I've seen the band twice previously but there was something special about seeing the band with my wife just months after dancing to them in front of our friends and family. The cricket ground setting just seemed to add something unique and the band had a lot of fun. By the time they got towards the end of the set they had us in the palm of their hands. 'House of Fun', 'Wings of A Dove' and 'Our House' were rattled off in quick succession before wrapping up with 'It Must Be Love'. Personally as I'm sure you can imagine it was just a lovely moment. Kayl went as far as to say it was the best gig she's ever been to. Next time they come to your town you MUST check them out!

So yeah it's been a vintage year for gigs and it's not over yet. As I mentioned in my previous post I'm off to see Fozzy again in December. As my gig buddy (and my best man last May) is emigrating to Canada, I decided to treat us both to VIP tickets. We've seen the likes of Aerosmith, Metallica and AC/DC together and I thought that a VIP experience would be a great way to send him and his lovely wife off to the True North in February. Rest assured you'll hear all about it here!

What gigs have you been lucky to check out this year? Feel free to chat about it on the Facebook page or tweet me @NorrisApproved3!

See you soon!